2008 Talisman Wildcat Mountain Vineyard Los Carneros Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.75, TA 0.59, 184 cases, $45. Highest elevation vineyard in Los Carneros . An extreme, cool site exposed to the wind from San Pablo Bay. Red pebbly clay loam soils. Swan, Pommard, Dijon 115 and 777. Aged 20 months in 86% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. A very divisive wine because of its feral and savory components. Aromas of wild strawberries, black cherries, spice and subtle ash. Silky on the palate with discreetly concentrated flavors of red cherries and berries with a hint of spice and truffle. Oak-driven smoke and tar are evident. Considerably better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle with brighter and fruitier aromatics and less oak-driven attributes. Good (+) but may warrant a higher recommendation in a few years as the high percentage of new oak becomes better integrated into the wine. Reviewed November 29, 2011

Winery: Talisman
From article: 2009 California Praiseworthy Pinots